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Post by Raven on Jan 7, 2018 20:15:31 GMT
I read the article in the Daily Mail and my first response was "Leave it alone!". ALW seems to be meddling more and more with his musicals of late. I really don't see how they are going to be able to pull this off for a film. This kind of plot suits the stage, with it being set in the one location and with the nature of the stories being told. Not only that, but ALW wants to add more songs. He last experimented with changing the "Rum Tug Tugger" song by adding a rap and made osme changes to Grizabella, he's demanded a huge overhaul on Starlight...clearly he's not satisfied with his work and leaving them as they are!
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Post by Raven on Jan 1, 2018 18:50:26 GMT
I saw this in Glasgow and loved it! Will agree with Theatreian that VHB was really good and expressive; her face never stayed the same! The selection of songs was good and varied too. I felt in the first half the orchestra drowned out some of the vocals, particularly Louise's, however this seemed to be rectified in the second half.
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Post by Raven on Dec 26, 2017 21:30:06 GMT
Fair enough. There were rumours going also about them removing Ashley as she's now seen as a bit controversial and outdated due to the smoking legislation. Anybody had any word of that?
I got a rough translation from a German newspaper article the other day and they are closing the show for three weeks. June 12th is their official re-opening day. So there must be quite a few substantial alterations being made. Will be interesting to hear back.
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Post by Raven on Dec 17, 2017 18:56:51 GMT
On the Starlight Express website they have announced that there will be a cast change on 13th May 2018. I believe a lot of the ensemble cast members are leaving as well as Abigail Dever (Dinah). There's also a mention of a "world premiere" of some kind on 12th June so can only imagine it'll be the anniversary show. The world premiere is Mama who is joining the cast replacing Papa. I just pray to god they don’t include that awful new carriage song I Got Me. I’m going to Bochum in June so will report back. Ah, I see! Jeez, I wonder what made them decide to change?
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Post by Raven on Dec 16, 2017 22:35:40 GMT
On the Starlight Express website they have announced that there will be a cast change on 13th May 2018. I believe a lot of the ensemble cast members are leaving as well as Abigail Dever (Dinah). There's also a mention of a "world premiere" of some kind on 12th June so can only imagine it'll be the anniversary show.
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Post by Raven on Nov 20, 2017 21:07:12 GMT
Saw the show on Saturday and was disappointed. In my opinion the current cast are one of the weakest in a long while. I like Killian Donnelly but he wasn’t right for the part of valjean. He is too young and not physically strong looking enough to be believable. He has a very good voice but his Bring Him Home was not the show stopper it should have been. Hayden Tee was all sorts of wrong as Javert. He spoke sang and sounded hoarse. The Male ensemble cast were generally far too young to be believable as burly prisoners/ gang members. Marius was like 15 years old and didn’t have the vocal power needed. Eponine needed major work on her diction, although I liked her “On My Own” on the whole. You couldn’t hear a word she said in “A Little Fall if Rain” though. Not a fan of Cosette at all. No power. She hit notes with staccato with a very young sounding unpowerful bell like voice. Fantine had potential. She was very quiet when speaking and during the factory scene but started “I Dreamed a Dream” very well. When it came to belting however, she was shouting in the wrong key! The guy playing thenardier was good. A very good balance of humour and menace. He had a good voice too. Overall, I think the score is amazing but the show is so lacklustre when the cast is not right. I have been to see the show recently and was a little disappointed too! I didn't like Karis Jack's Eponine much at all, she was just like a moody teenager. No connection between her and Marius leading to a not-so-sad "A Little Fall of Rain". Like you, I was also not crazy on Cosette either. Quite enjoyed Killian as Valjean although I see where everyone is coming from regarding his age. I did however like Carley's Fantine and Thenadier was great with the comedy. Overall, I have seen better casts over the years and I think this is the weakest I have seen. I certainly won't be rushing back anytime soon.
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Post by Raven on Oct 12, 2017 21:02:02 GMT
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Post by Raven on Sept 16, 2017 18:27:33 GMT
I'm curious as to what the two other musicals are! Sounds like a lot to be doing in one go though.
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Post by Raven on Sept 12, 2017 18:41:29 GMT
Email from them says, "Starlight Express runs at approximately 2hrs including a 20 minute interval. The full two acts will be performed with scripts in hand and minimal staging. Minimal props and costume will be used to indicate or suggest characters or themes. The show will be accompanied by live musicians. Please note the show will contain Haze." Why they are warning about air freshener has me confused, but otherwise it sounds good. I'm assuming all the songs will be present but they'll have whittled down the script for the purpose of the workshop performances?
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Post by Raven on Sept 6, 2017 18:47:06 GMT
Having never been to one of these workshops before how staged are they? I thought it was just a concert presentation so i am surprised to see Arlene Phillips there. It has been officially described as a "concert-style workshop performance". I don't think they will be using the roller skates as the actors usually undergo a couple of months of training with them prior to the show which this cast have not done. They've only had this week to rehearse.
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Post by Raven on Sept 6, 2017 18:29:15 GMT
I expect Carina will be going off on maternity in a couple of months time given the baby news she announced today.
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Post by Raven on Aug 19, 2017 18:17:08 GMT
I agree! I think she has quite the right to be bitter about the subject! After all, she lost her job - and it wouldn't surprise me if the cast had found out through social media like those involved in Bring It On instead of face to face - and hasn't been paid for the work she has done! I'd be pretty angry too.
Plus, she probably feels that she, alongside the rest of the cast, have been so let down that there's no point in complaining to those involved because "those involved" is the producer who I bet nobody can get a hold of. Besides, Twitter is often used to vent and make feelings/idea/opinions heard.
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Post by Raven on Jul 31, 2017 21:11:23 GMT
Does anyone know where I can get a copy of "Wonderland (Alice's New Musical Adventure)"? It's the concept album prior to the Broadway cast recording and still has most of the original Broadway cast featured. I'm struggling to find a reputable seller online and remember someone on here said they had bought one quite easily on here but can't find the original post.
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Post by Raven on Jul 29, 2017 18:16:46 GMT
Although cash flow can be tricky, especially if venue do not release ticket revenue promptly, I can't believe anyone still thinks it's ok to ask artists/ creatives to wait for their money. I agree! It's disgraceful how the whole situation has been handled. I really feel for the whole cast involved who have suddenly had their jobs pulled from them and left unemployed for three weeks which they wouldn't have accounted for as they were still due to be in the tour. Likewise, I also hope they all find the jobs they all deserve to have as it was a talented cast.
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Post by Raven on Jul 25, 2017 18:41:19 GMT
we still don't know what's going intot he Aldwych. The Lord wouldnt let one of his theaters go empty...thoughts? Tina? Fiddler? Caroline or Change? Joseph? Which Lord? Isnt Aldwych Nederlander? Yeah, the Aldwych is a Nederlander theatre and not owned by ALW.
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Post by Raven on Jul 25, 2017 18:32:07 GMT
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Post by Raven on Jul 16, 2017 19:38:26 GMT
... but I must say I really enjoyed Suzie's Galinda. You think you've seen a line delivered all the ways it can be but she brought some great touches to the role and a lot of humour, I know people were groaning at the script humour a few pages back but she was getting some good laughs out of it. Lump in my throat at her Thank Goodness power note. Good stuff. I saw the show back in June and loved Suzie's Glinda also! I hadn't seen the London production since May 2015 as I personally didn't like Emma's Elphaba and Savannah's Glinda was just alright. Back then, in my eyes, the show had lost it's magic a little and I left a little disappointed. However, I'm glad I went back to see Willemijn and Suzie as I really enjoyed their portrayals and I felt the show was in an overall better shape. I can't say with the new cast change I'm super eager to rush back, but I might make a trip at some point, purely to see Sophie's take on Glinda.
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Post by Raven on Jul 7, 2017 18:12:31 GMT
Natalie is returning to Wonderland tonight!
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Post by Raven on Jul 5, 2017 21:12:44 GMT
Anyone know if Natalie is back yet? saw the show in Edinburgh in January and fancy seeing it again, particularly to see Rachael and Natalie Sorry, I forgot to quote you in my reply to you above!
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Post by Raven on Jul 5, 2017 20:54:00 GMT
I saw Wonderland this afternoon and Natalie was still not back in the production and the second cover for the Mad Hatter, Francesca Lara Gordon was on. Francesca was really good but I do prefer Natalie in the role. Natalie has torn the cartilage in her knee and has been off for almost three weeks already so there's some uncertainty about when she will be back in the show.
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Post by Raven on Jun 18, 2017 18:00:08 GMT
I saw this on Thursday evening and although there is no doubt Amber, Liisi and Asmeret are incredible singers I found the story rather dull. I loved the sets and costumes and the vast majority of the songs were very good and enjoyable but the lack of a solid storyline left me bored in parts. Overall, a good show but I'm in no rush to see it again.
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Post by Raven on Jun 18, 2017 17:54:01 GMT
Natalie has been off all week as she is currently getting physio for her injured leg/knee. Hopefully she is back as the Hatter next week.
As for leaving the show mid-song, I do have to agree with others and say it's disrespectful and rude, not just to the audience but to the performers too. Why disrupt the rest of the audience around you who might actually be enjoying the show just because you don't have the patience to wait until the interval - or at the very least an appropriate scene change - to leave?
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Post by Raven on Jun 9, 2017 18:36:56 GMT
I really wish I could get the opportunity to see this but unfortunately I'm not going to get the chance when I'm in London next week. I was looking at the ticket prices and for Friday night alone the premium seats were £200-£300! That is an obscene price for a single ticket. For that price, you'd be expecting Meat Loaf to be making an appearance.
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Post by Raven on Jun 1, 2017 17:11:41 GMT
I would love to have this come over. I can't stop listening to the cast recording! So much that. I really wasn't expecting to like it but some of the songs are so well crafted I didn't know what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. Some of the songs, as you say, are so well done! I love "For Forever", "Waving Through A Window", "Requiem" and obviously "You Will Be Found". They are constantly on repeat for me right now.
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Post by Raven on May 30, 2017 20:24:12 GMT
I would love to have this come over. I can't stop listening to the cast recording!
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Post by Raven on Apr 30, 2017 22:12:08 GMT
Am catching the show on Saturday in Wimbledon. Wasn't too fussed whether or not to see Kerry (I like her, but not to a point of disappointment if she isn't on), am mainly going because I love the score, but also for Natalie McQueen, as I've heard great things and she was fantastic as the alternate for Kerry in Murder Ballad. The score is really good, although if you've listened to the Broadway version there are some differences to the songs and lyrics. Natalie McQueen steals the show, in my opinion. Her character transition is pretty incredible and her vocals are just amazing. Her duet with Kerry gave me goosebumps. There's some great feedback about Benjamin Yates' debut as Jack today. I would have loved to have seen that!
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Post by Raven on Apr 27, 2017 18:43:31 GMT
Since we're on the topic of who looks good in green, does there exist a site with photos of almost every actress who has played Elphaba in green? There's a few fan sites that list when each actress has played the role but never found one that documents with photos which I always thought was a bit strange.
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Post by Raven on Apr 25, 2017 20:18:53 GMT
According to The Stage, it's going to feature special effects like water and fire as well as animatronics...
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Post by Raven on Apr 22, 2017 18:39:05 GMT
I'm a travel agent for a well known travel company. I have to tolerate being told "You must want to go on holiday all the time working in here" on a daily basis. Yes, Mrs Brown, I do wish I was joining you in Orlando but hey, I got bills to pay! I love my job really. Plus, I do occasionally sell London breaks with theatre tickets so that always makes me day! Any excuse to talk about musicals.
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Post by Raven on Apr 21, 2017 19:09:17 GMT
Digressing for the important discussion: I found bags of Mini Eggs for 50p in Tesco. I wish I was as lucky! I popped into my local Tesco Express on my lunch break today seeking some out knowing they'd no doubt be discounted but couldn't find a single trace of Easter chocolate! I was quite sad...On the other hand, Clintons was desperately trying to sell off their Lindt strawberry and cream Easter egg at £1.50.
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